Cigar lighter



April 21, 1936. J COHEN C IGAR LIGHTER Filed March 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. g g mxek TORNEY April 21, 1936. J CQHEN 2,037,882

C IGAR LIGHTER Filed March 13, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Apr. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 9 Claims.

This invention relates to electric cigar lighters, and more particularly, to that type of cigar lighter which comprises a holding device adapted to be supported on an automobile instrument board or other suitable support, and an igniting unit adapted to be mounted on the holding device for temporary complete removal after a resistance element carried by the igniting unit has been brought to incandescence, so that the heating element may be applied to and ignite the end of a cigar or cigarette.

In some of its aspects, the invention relates to an improved lighter wherein the resistance unit is normally concealed and the body of the igniting unit or a portion thereof is made of translucent material so thatit will glow when the resistance element is brought to incandescence and thereby indicate to the operator that the de vice is in condition for use.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a cigar lighter in which the removable igniting unit body may be made of one piece construction.

A further object is to provide improved means for resiliently holding the igniting unit on the holding device. I

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved heating element. v

A still further object is to provide means whereby the working contact on the resistance unit will be substantially out of the area normally covered with cigar ashes from use, and preferably having sliding frictional engagement with its cooperating contact, in order to insure good electrical connection.

A feature of the invention is the provision of a holding device which supports a movable switch contact, yet provides a rigid projection upon which the removable igniting unit may be supported.

Another feature is the provision of a sliding switch in the holding device which is substantially enclosed by a rigid tubular projection for protection against corrosion and extraneous shock.

Other features and advantages will hereinafter appear.

In the drawings which illustrate one form of the invention, that at present preferred- Figure 1 is a double size sectional view of the cigar lighter, the removable igniting unit being shown on the holding device in normal position, i. e. open circuit non-translating condition.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view similar to Fig. l, but shows the igniting ,unit in closed circuit position.

Fig. 3 is a front perspective view of the holding device.

Fig. 4 is a perspective exploded view of the resistance unit, portion of the igniting unit.

The electric cigar lighter of the present invention, as shown in the accompanying drawings, comprises a holding device l0 adapted to be mounted on a dashboard ll of an automobile or the like, and an igniting unit l2, the latter being mounted on the holding device and arranged, as

hereinafter described, for occasional complete mechanical and electrical disconnection there-. from.

The holding device l0 includes a post l3 having a flange l4 and a shoulder l5, the latter serving to locate a projection 16 and escutcheon l1 and being headed over slightly as at [8 to rigidly secure these parts to the post. The post is further provided with an externally threaded shank [9 which after being passed through a hole provided in the automobile instrument board, serves to firmly attach it thereto, and in grounded electrical connection therewith, when a nut 20 and washer 2| are tightened thereon.

The front end of the post I3 is provided near its center with an electrical terminal and contact 22, which is insulated therefrom. In its preferred form this comprises a small sleeve 23 made integral with the post [3 and of suflicient depth to accommodate an insulating washer 24, contact 22, and insulating washer 25, one on top of the other, the contact being provided with a cupped portion 26 adapted to extend through a hole in the washer 25 to hold it in insulated spaced relation from the side wall of the sleeve and preferably extending beyond the top surface of the washer so as to be engageable readily with a cooperating contact, as hereinafter described.

After the parts are so assembled, the top free end of the small sleeve is spun over, or headed over in any other suitable manner, to permanently and securely fix washers 24 and 25 with the contact 22 to the post iii. The cupped portion 28 also serves as a pocket for solder 21 in electrically securing a current supply wire 28 to the contact before assembly, which wire extends through a hole in the shank I! to a terminal on the ammeter, switch, or the like, onthe instrument board for connection to the other side of a battery circuit or other source of E. M. F. Thus the present invention provides a simple and inexpensive contact support which is well insulated and can never work loose, a condition which occurred very often with contact supports heretofore provided.

- struction with an inwardly projecting flange 29 at-the rear end which is secured on the post shoulder I5 whenthe projection is assembled to the latter as hereinbefore described. The bore 30 of the tubular projection formsan eflicient and sturdy support for the slidable switch unit 3|. To this end, a coiled spring 32 is placed in the bore 35 and is located in place at one end by sliding over the small sleeve 23 portion of the post |3 after which a slidable switch unit 3| is placed in the bore and permanently'maintained therein by spinning or otherwise heading over the outer or free end of the tubular rigid projection I5 to form a stop flange 38.- The slidable switch unit is preferably made with a sleeve 33 just large enough to slide freely in the bore 35 and having one end substantially closed to form a cup-like portion 34. The cup portion 34 provides a pocket to support the outer end of the coiled spring 32, and with the sleeve 23 at the other end, prevents the spring from jumping or moving out. of place. I

Alarge yielding annular contact 35 is mounted on the sleeve 33 by a rivet 35 and is insulated therefrom by fibre or other insulating washers 31 and by the rivet clearing the sides of a hole provided therefor in the bottom of the cup 34, the rivet of course being headed over after the parts are assembled. Thus, the annular contact 35 is well insulated from the projection l5 which is connected with the grounded side of the automobile circuit, and is normally kept out of engagement with the second live contact 22 on the holding device III by the spring32 pushing it to its outer limit of travel when the end of the sliding sleeve 33 engages the stop flange 35 as shown in Fig. 1. Thus, according to the present invention, the slidable switch unit 3| is substantially enclosed and protected against inadvertent blows which might misalign the parts, and the cooperating sliding surfaces are substantially enclosed to prevent atmospheric corrosion. These featuresinsure a highly efficient and positive operation of the device. The annular contact 35 of the; switch unit 3| is also especially advantageous} as will be described hereinafter.

The igniting unit |2 of the present invention comprises a cylindrical body 40, preferably made of bakelite or some similar material, having a stepped bore 4|, 42 andg43 with shoulders 44 and 45. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the bore 4| is provided with a resistance unit 45 having a sleeve 41 open at one end and a bore 48 therein adapted to slide onto the projection IE to support the igniting unit l2 on the holding device ID.

The resistance unit |2 in its present preferred form comprises the sleeve 41 having a substantially closed end or bottom, with a cupped portion 5|] and a resistance element 5| which is mounted thereon. The resistance element 5| comprises a coil of high resistance wire 52 with a stud 53 secured to its inner end, adapted to rest upon a washer 54 of insulating and heat resisting material in a small'cup 55, pierced at 55 to accommodate the outer end 51 of the resistance coil, all of which fit irito an annular collar 55 after a spacing ring 59}, slit as at 50 to clear the coil end 5,1, is piaced therein, the free end of the collar being spun orfotherwise headed over as at 6| onto a fiangeportion 62 of the cup 55 to rigidly and permanently hold the resistance coil 52 with the stud 53 at the inner end in insulated spaced relation with the small cup 55 and large annular collar 55 while the outer end 51 of the coil is in ggod metallic engagement therewith. The stud 53 is then passed through a hole 53 in another insulating washer 54' and through a hole 54 in the resistance unit sleeve 41 whereupon it is headed over as at 55 to complete the resistance unit 45, and to complete a metallic and electrical connection between the sleeve 41 and center stud 53 connection at one end of the coil 52.

Thus the present invention provides a resistance unit which is very sturdy and which includes a sleeve for mounting the unit on the holding device as an integral part of the unit.

For the purpose of rigidly securing the resistance unit 45 to the body 45 so that there will be no danger of its pulling out therefrom and yet permit comparatively easy removal should it be desired to replace a burned out resistance unit 46. the present invention provides a female thread 55 in the body bore 4| and a cooperating male thread 51 on the sleeve 41 so that it is merely necessary to screw the resistance unit 45 therein until the bottom end engages the shoulder 44. If desired, the bore 4| may be slightly recessed as at 55 so that it is not necessary to turn the unit 45 many times when screwing it into or out of the threaded bore 55.

With this construction then the resistanceunit 46 is normally entirely enclosed so that there is no danger of an operator burning himself if his hand slips while he operates the device as occurred with some other forms of automobile cigar lighters. However, in order to apprise the operator of the degree of incandescence of the igniting coil, when it is cut into circuit as hereinafter explained, the small cup 55 is provided with one or more apertures 53 and the washers 54 and 54' and the bottom of the large sleeve 41 are provided with corresponding apertures 53 overlying each other so that the incandescence glow of the resistance coil 52 may pass therethrough to the open bore 43 of the body 45, or, as at present preferred, to a window 10 of some colored translucent material suitably fastened therein.

The cup 55 may be provided with inwardly and outwardly projecting lugs 1| to align the apertures in the cup 55 and washers 54 to prevent their turning relative to each other at the time of heading over the rivet 53.

After the resistance unit 45 is assembled to the body 40 as hereinbefore described, the igniting unit I2 is complete and may be mechanically and electrically attached to and removed from the holding device III as desired. To this end the bore 48 of the sleeve 41 may be made just large enough to slide onto the projection |5 without danger of shaking loose. Preferably though either the sleeve 41 or the projection I5 is split and normally biased to insure a snug yet free connection between the two parts. As shown, the projection i5 is lanced and formed on the side to provide a. plurality of outwardly biased fingers 12 adapted to engage the bore 45 of the sleeve 41 and insure good mechanical and electrical connection therebetween, even though thereis a considerable difference in the diameters of the two parts.

With the holding device I5 in operative posi- I tion, 1. e. on a grounded instrument board of an automobile or the like and the wire 25 connected to the current source of opposite polarity, electrical connection is established with the inner end. of the resistance coil 52 through the projection l6, fingers I2, resistance unit sleeve 41 and rivet 53 when the igniting unit I2 is slid onto the holding device l into the normal, i. e. non-translating condition, shown in Fig. 1, where it is yieldingly stopped by the steps 14 on the switch annular contact 35 engaging the end 6| of the resistance annular collar 58. Although the igniting unit l2 may be slid onto the projection quite easily, to this extent the fingers I! prevent its shaking loose.

However, should the operator desire to completely close the circuit for the resistance coil 52, he need merely press against the igniting unit i2 with a little added pressure, in a direction toward the holding device, whereupon the annular collar 58 comprising the second contact of the resistance coil 52, by its engagement with steps 14 and more particularly by the yielding fingers 15 on the switch unit annular contact 35, moves the switch unit 3| longitudinally in the projection bore 30 against the pressure of the spring 32 until the rivet 36 thereon engages the holding device contact 22. Thus the circuit for the resistance coil is completely closed with current of one polarity passing through the projection l6, sleeve 4'! and rivet 53 to one' end of the coil 52, and the other polarity passing through the contact 22, stud 36, annular contact 35 and collar 58 to the other end 51 of the coil, as shown in Fig. 2.

It should be particularly noted that the present invention provides a practical working contact out of the working area of the coil 52 so that the working contact will not become covered with cigar ashes and spoil electrical connection as with most lighters heretofore provided where the center stud forms a working contact. Besides being cleaner, the annular ring contact of the present invention provides a larger contact area and makes possible the use of a plurality of contacts on one member to engage the other. Further, the yielding fingers 15 rub on the cooperating contact to further insure good electrical connection.

The operator holds the igniting unit l2 in the closed circuit position temporarily while the resistance coil 52 beats to incandescence, the degree of incandescence being indicated to the operator through the window Ill, and when bright he merely pulls the igniting unit I! from the projection l6 for use. After use the igniting unit is, of course, slid back onto the holding device projection Hi again, the spring 32 keeping the igniting unit in open circuit position, shown in Fig. 1.

The rigid projection, enclosing a switch, of the present invention facilitates the operation of replacing the unit I2 therein, for there is no possibility of its wobbling or canting with respect to the cooperating bore 48 in the igniting unit i2, as occurs with some cigar lighters heretofore proposed which provided a semi-floating longitudinally movable sleeve for supporting an igniting unit.

Further, the present invention, by providing a rigid housing l6 and 30 for the switch unit 3! substantially protects the switch unit and thereby improves its operation by enclosing the cooperating sliding surfaces of the switch unit to guard them against atmospheric corrosion which might cause the parts to stick.

Also,by enclosing the switch unit 3!, there is no danger of striking against the switch parts to cause a misalignment which might also cause the parts to stick and resist movement into operative position, or cause them to stick in the operative position with the attendant possibility of needlessly using up stored battery current or even burning out the coil or causing a fire.

Thus the present invention provides a removable cigar lighter device which is of sturdy and comparatively simple construction, and which will be capable of positive and highly efiicient operation.

Variations and modifications may be made within the scope of this invention and portions of the improvements used without others.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and for which it is desired to obtain Letters Patent, is:--

I. In an electric cigar lighter, a removable igniting unit; a device for holding the removable igniting unit, said holding device having a movable switch controlling a current supply circuit leading to the igniting unit, and an annular contact on the switch adapted to be engaged by a contact on the igniting unit to thereby move the switch device when the igniting unit is pushed toward the holding device, said annular contact having portions forming a rubbing engagement with the contact on the igniting unit, and other portions disposed for abutting engagement to take the thrust applied by the igniting unit when the latter is pushed toward the holding device.

2. In an electric cigar lighter, a device for holding a removable igniting unit, said holding device having a movable switch controlling a current supply circuit leading to the igniting unit, the holding device also including a rigid projection for the coaxial reception and support of the igniting unit in the interior surface of which a movable portion of the switch is slidably mounted for coaxial travel and operation under the influence of the igniting unit as the latter is moved coaxially on the projection.

3. In an electrical device of the class described, a removable igniting unit; a holding device adapted to be rigidly and permanently connected to an instrument panel or the like; a rigid tubular projection on the holding device adapted to support the igniting unit upon its exterior surface; and a switch unit substantially enclosed, and supported on the rigidly and permanently connected holding device for sliding movement, within said tubular projection.

4. In an electric cigar lighter, a holding device for a removable translating unit comprising a post; a projection for supporting the translating unit; an escutcheon plate; a flange on the post; and a shoulder on the post adapted to rigidly secure the plate and the projection to the post against the flange when the shoulder is crimped.

5. In an electrical device of the class described, a holding device; a removable translating unit provided with contacts of two polarities; a holder contact of one polarity comprising a rigid hollow projection continuously in electrical engagement with a contact of the translating unit when the latter is mounted thereon; a second live contact on the holder and insulated therefrom; and an intermediate contact having a limited range of sliding movement in said hollow projection and insulated therefrom, normally yieldingly urged out of engagement with the second live contact on the holder, but movable into engagement therewith to connect the second live contact on the holder with the contact of the other polarity on the translating unit when the latter is manually moved in a direction toward the second live contact, to fully close the circuit and render the translating unit operative.

4 aoamea 6. In an electrical device of the class described, a. holding device; a first live contact comprising a rigid hollow post-like projection in the holding device, and a second live contact on said holding device and insulated therefrom; a removable translating unit; a first and a second contact on the translating unit; an intermediate contact in the rigid hollow post-like projection; means to normally keep the intermediate contact out of engagement with the second live contact and in non-current conducting engagement with the second translating unit contact; and yielding means to permit manual movement of the trans lating unit andintermediate contact toward and into engagement with the second live contact on the supporting device to fully close the circuit for the translating unit.

'7. In an electrical device of the class described, a holding device; a projection on said holding device and forming a current carrier; a removable translating unit body having an interiorly threaded bore; and a cupped member, exteriorly threaded for attachment to said interiorly threaded bore, adapt-ed to be slid on the projection to support the translating unit on the holding device and conductcurrent from the projection to the translating unit:

8. An igniting unit, for electric cigar lighters having a holding device for separably supporting the igniting unit, comprising a solely one-piece housing; an igniting element having an igniting coil, a support therefor, and a sleeve forming a slip connector, said coil-support and sleeve being structurally and electrically united against separation without destruction and constituting an entity removable and replaceable in said igniting unit housing; and a thread on said sleeve and a cooperating thread on the solely one-piece housing for securing the igniting element in the housing.

9. A replaceable heating element for cigar lighters of the type completely removable from the holding device for use, having a metal sleeve forming an electrical contact, a resistance element fixedly carried by and within said sleeve and located between the ends thereof and having one end connected to said sleeve, and screw threads on the exterior of said sleeve to receive screw threads on an igniting unit, the external edge of said sleeve having diametrically opposite slots to receive an implement by means of which the sleeve may be rotated.

JOSEPH H. COHEN. 

